WOODS, WINGS & WATER: Inconsistent weather means tough fishing

April 14, 2013 at 11:03 p.m.Updated April 13, 2013 at 11:14 p.m.

Many pros consider April to be one of the toughest fishing months of the year. Of course, the weather is the determining factor, as was the case this week. You can catch solid fish in 20-25 knot winds when you have consistent tides, but when the wind is whipping from multiple directions and tides are weak, well, golf is sometimes a better option.

Nevertheless, there were scattered catches recorded this week.

On Sabine Lake, sheepshead and black drum were caught on the leeward side of the jetty on live shrimp. Tides were above normal, but when they fell a bit, redfish and flounder were caught around bayous and sloughs on Gulps and shrimp.

In Galveston, waders took trout to 4 pounds despite the winds. Fish were found tight to the shorelines as southeast winds pumped warmer tides into the bay. Trinity Bay anglers found better fish tight to shell on the east shoreline on Top Dogs and Corkies.

When tides are high, redfish always seem to haunt Moses Lake, and this week was no exception. Live bait proved best, but Gulps and plastics tipped with shrimp caught fish as well.

Back bay areas like Christmas and Bastrop bays held black drum and redfish on live shrimp around reefs. Water clarity was not good, but drum fish don't always need to see the bait to find it.

East Matagorda Bay was muddy for most of the week, but scattered catches of trout to 5 pounds were taken in off-colored water on Morning Glory Bass Assassins. Better catches were had in West Matagorda Bay despite the wind and weak tides. Early morning was best with the outgoing tide. Better tides this weekend made for better catches along the shorelines for waders tossing plastics and shrimp.

In Port O'Connor, most boats sought the back bays for solace from the gales. They were rewarded with catches of big redfish on small topwaters. Scattered trout were taken as well.

Even when the wind blows in Rockport/Port Aransas, you can find a big black drum roaming the channel. The Lydia Ann Channel, Ingleside Channel and Shrimpboat Channel held big uglies on cracked blue crabs.

The Laguna Madre has been hot and cold this spring, literally and figuratively, but some consistent catches have come as of late, including trout to 31 inches. Paddletail plastics and Corkies have taken most of the trout over sand and grass.

As for Baffin Bay, many captains have said fishing has been disappointing. Consistent patterns have been hard to come by, so upper Laguna shorelines have been waded more thoroughly.

Gambler Flappin' Shad, Corkies and some topwater action has been the best bet as of late.

Remember, it is still April. Consistency and moderate winds are still a few weeks away.